Ice bin level control mechanisms



INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 14 Filed June 9, 1958 Ha. I

June 14, 1960 F. M. RAVER 1oz: BIN LEVEL CONTROL MECHANISMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1958 ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 F. M. RAVER 2,940,275

ICE BIN LEVEL CONTROL MECHANISMS Filed June 9, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 292 I if INVENTOR. FkANc/s M. RAVE/i BY u. NW

ATTORN ICE BIN LEVEL CONTROL MECHANISMS Francis M. Raver, Yoe, Pa., assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 9, 1958, Ser. No. 740,614

Claims. (Cl. 62-437) This invention relates to an ice flake making apparatus and more particularly to a mechanism for shutting down the apparatus upon the level of the ice flakes within a bin thereof reaching a predetermined height.

A bin level control mechanism, triggered by a temperature responsive thermal bulb, is Well-known in the art. The bulb is placed within the ice receiving bin and the mechanism is so calibrated that, upon the attainment of a freezing temperature of the bulb, a switch is opened to shut down the apparatus. The bulb is placed at a position near the top of the bin and when the level of ice builds up to a paint to contact the bulb, the bulb is chilled to the cut-off temperature.

However, in practice, these devices have not proven completely reliable, in some instances shutting off the apparatus before the ice bin is full. It is believed that this may be caused by the evaporator of the ice making apparatus causing convection currents of chilled air to flow to the bin, chilling down the bulb to the cut-off temperature.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide a bin level control mechanism positively actuated by the presence of ice flakes at the desired level within the bin. It is a further object to provide such a mechanism wherein only the actual physical presence of the ice flakes can trigger the mechanism to its off position. Yet another object is to provide a bin level control mechanism completely mechanical in nature, which can be triggered to its off position only by the physical presence of ice Within the bin at the proper level and is unaffected by temperature changes therein.

In carrying out the invention a switch-actuating member is pivotally mounted on a rotatable part of the apparatus. A switch is mounted on a stationary part of the apparatus in a position such that it will not normally be engaged by the switch-actuating member on the rotation of said member. Means are provided for moving the switch-actuating member into a second position, in which position it will engage the switch, shutting down the apparatus. The means for moving the switch-actuating member into switch engaging position is inoperative for its intended purpose until such time as ice within the bin builds up to the desired level; the ice itself, in effect, becoming a mechanical element of the means for moving the switch-actuating member into switch engaging position, which element is necessary to the operation thereof.

The invention consists of the novel constructions, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above-stated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 is a perspective, partly diagrammatic, of an ice flake making apparatus with parts thereof broken away to better show details, and including the bin level control mechanism of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the bin level con- States Patent 0 ice? trol mechanism in operative position, and to a larger scale from that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a crank member of the bin level control mechanism taken to a scale intermediate that of Figs. 1 and 2; V

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram for the various operating mechanisms; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the associated refrigerating mechanism for the apparatus.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The ice forming apparatus Turning now to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1,

an ice making machine, indicated generally at 10, is housed within a cabinet structure, including side walls \11 and an ice receiving bin 12. Four angle irons 13,- 14, 15 and 16 are fixedly mounted within the cabinet structure on side walls 11. Angle irons 13 and 14 receive and support a shelf structure 17, while angle irons 15 and 16 receive and support a similar, but inverted shelf-structure 18. Shelf structures 17 and 18 serve to support the ice making machine 10 within the cabinet structure.

The ice making machine 10 comprises a stationary vertical shaft assembly 19, passing through shelf structures 17 and 18. A bracket 20 is mounted on shelf structure 17 and a bolt '21 passes through bracket 20 and the shaft assembly 19. A similar bracket and bolt (not shown) are provided on the shelf structure 18. The brackets on shelf structures 17 and 18 with their corresponding bolts serve to non-rotatably maintain shaft assembly 19 in proper position. 1

A vertical, substantially cylindrical, ice forming element 22 is non-rotatably mounted on shaft assembly 19. Ice forming element 22 is formed with an interior annular refrigerant receiving space in the vertical wall thereof.

A refrigerating system is provided for supplying liquid refrigerant to the aforementioned annular space within ice formingelement 22. The system takes the form of a suitable compressor 23 driven by an electric motor 24, a refrigerant condenser 25, a refrigerant receiver 26, and a pair of fans 27 and 28 driven by corresponding motors 27 and 28'. Ice forming element 22, of course, acts as the evaporator of the refrigerating system.

A hot gas discharge line 29 connects the outlet of compressor 23 to the inlet of condenser 25. A hot liquid refrigerant line 30 joins the discharge of condenser 25 to the inlet of receiver 26. Receiver 26 and ice forming element 22 are connected by a liquid line 31, having refrigerant expansion means such as a capillary 32 therein. Liquid line 31 passes into the interior of shaft assembly 19 and through a wall thereof, and connects with the lower part of the annular refrigerant receiving space Within ice forming element 22. A cold gas line 33 leads from the upper part of the aforementioned annular refrigerant receiving space back to the inlet of compressor 23 by way of the interior of shaft assembly 19.

Means for removing water frozen on ice forming element 22 is provided and takes the form of a rotary wedge 34. Means must be provided for translating the rotary wedge 34 about the outer surface'of ice forming element 22. For this purpose, a pair of upper and lower spiders 35 are mounted for rotation around shaft assembly 19. A plurality of braces 36, only two of which are shown, join the two spiders and maintain them in assembled relationship. The two spiders 35 are formed each with a flat surface 37 thereon for receiving a bracket 38 mounted thereto by way of bolts 39. Brackets 38 serve to rotatably support rotary wedge 34, wedge journals 40 being received in brackets 38 for this purpose. The at rangement is such that the cutting edges of the wedge lie in close proximity to the outer surface of ice forming element 22;

Means for rotating the spiders 35 are provided. For this purpose, upper spider 35 is formed with a hub 41 on the upper end thereof, to which is'attached aLsprocket 42. A cutter drive motor 43 is mounted on shelf structure 17 and is provided with power from any suitable source. Cutter drive motor 43 drives a speed reduction mechanism 44 by way of a belt .45. Speed reduction mechanism 44 is similarly mounted on shelf structure 17. A shaft-46 extends downfrom speedreduction mechanism 44, passing, through an aperture 47 formed in shelf structure 17. Shaft 46 has a, pinion 48: attached .to the lower end thereof. Pinion 48 liesl'in the same plane. as

sprocket 42 and servesto drive the same by way of a chain49. f

The water to be nozenen' ice forming element 22 is supplied thereto by a discontinuous circular trough 50 attached by any suitable means to spider 35 'for rotation therewith. 'An inspection of Fig. 1 reveals that trough 50 is provided with narrowed extensions 51 thereof, which pass behind braces 36.. adjacent the rotarywedge 34.

A sump 521s suitably supported beneath shaft assembly 19'by any suitable means. A pump 53 removes water from sump 52 by way of a line 54, and discharges it through a stationary liquid supply line 55 into a; continuous circular trough 56mounted for rotation with discontinuous trough 50 and supported thereon by way of a plurality of supporting webs 57. 'Continuoustrough 56 has a plurality of apertures 58 formed through a lower wall thereof for delivering water received therein to the discontinuous trough 50 with the apertures coinciding with the extent of the discontinuous trough 50; i.e., there areno apertures in that portion of continuous circular trough 56 immediately above the omitted portion of discontinuous trough 50 at the rotary wedge 34. Trough 50 receives its water from trough 56 and distributes it on ice forming element ZZ'by way of apertures 59 formed in the lower wall thereof. A condensate drain trough 60 is non-rotatably mounted on shaft assembly 19 for receiving condensate draining from the'interior ofv ice forming element 22 and into and through the shaft as full length of ice forming element 22.

- The ice forming machine disclosed herein is disclosed in full detail in my co-pending application No.

726,765, which, for the purposes of this disclosure, is-

Attention is directed incorporated herein by reference. thereto for details of the ice making mechanism not disclosed herein.

Bin level control mechanism' The bin level control mechanism; referring'now to Figs. '2 and 3, comprises a crank member 65. Crank member 65 is received within a pair of support members 66 attached to the stationary ice shield 61. 'Crank mfimber 65 consists of an upper, vertically extending portion 67, a lower, vertically extending portion 68, andv an intermediate, vertically extending portion 69. A horizontally extending portion 70 joins the two vertical portions 68 and 69, while a similar horizontally extendi 38 P rtion 71 joins the vertical portions 67 and 69. A replaceable roller 72 is mounted on the upper vertically extending portion *67. An ice-contacting plate 73 is mou ed on the lower end of vertical portion 68. A

spring 74, attached to a bracket 75, mounted on the. lower support member 66, serves to bias the crank member 65 in a direction away from ice shield 61, as seen in Fig.

. member 77 in a'clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2.

Control member 77 comprises a camming'portion 81, commencing at the arm 79, and a switch-actuating portion 82. Switch-actuating portion 82 has an adjustment piece 83 attached thereto by way of a clip 84. A switch arm 85 extends through ice shield 61 andis adapted to be engaged by the adjustment piece 83 attached to switchactuating portion 82 of control member 77.

Electrical system The electrical system comprises a pair of main power lines L-1 and L4 connected to any suitable source of power, and controlled by a master switch 86. A pair of leads 87 and 88 complete the circuit from lines L-1 and L-2 to the compressor' motor 24. Flow of current through leads 87 and 88 iscontrolled by a double-acting solenoid switch assembly 89, including'a solenoid winding 89' and switches 90 and 91'. Cutter drivemotor 43 is connected across leads 87 and 88 by way of leads 92 and 93. A normally closed safety switch 94 is provided in lead 93 and is operatively connected to switch arm 85 to be opened or closed thereby.

Pump 53 is connected across leads 87 and 88 by way of leads 95 and '96. A lead 97' connects one terminal of fan motor 27' with one terminal of fan motor 28'. A lead 98 joins lead 87 with lead 97. The-other side of fan motor 27' is connected to lead 88 by way of a lead 99, and the other side of fan motofZS' is connected to lead 88 by way of a lead 100, having a thermostatically controlled switch 101therein; A pair ofjleads 102 and 103 join leads 87 and 88 to solenoid winding'89. of sole noid switch 89. Control of current flow through'lead 102 is by Way of a timer switch 104. 'It will be noted that lead 103 connects with lead 93 and thence lead 88.

A timer 105 is provided for controlling lthe' operation of timer switch 104' and has one terminal thereof connected to lead 87 by way of a lead 106 and the other terminal thereof connected to lead 88 by way of a lead 107. A double, reversely acting solenoid switch assembly 108, including solenoid Winding 108' and switches 109 and 110, is provided for controlling flow of. current through leads 92 and'106. It will be apparent that in the position of switches 109 and 110, as shown in Fig. 4, the circuit to' cutter drive motor 43 is closed, whereas the circuit to timer 105 is open. Reversely, in the de-ener- 'gized position of switches 109 and 110, the'circuit to cutter drive motor 43 is open and the circuit to the timer 105 is closed. 1 a

Operation Compressor 23v is actuated to put the refrigerating system in operation. Refrigerant compressed by the compressor 23 flows throughhot gas line 29 to condenser 2.5. whereinit is condensed to a liquid. Fans 27 and 28 both operate to flow cooling air over condenser 25. The hot liquid refrigerant then flows through line 30 to receiver 26. From receiver 26 the hot liquid flows through liquid line 31 to the annular space formed in the vertical wall of ice forming element 22. In its passage through capillary 32, the, pressure and corresponding temperature of the liquid reduced to a point sufiiciently low to remove heat from ice forming element 22. The heat removed from ice forming element 22 vaporizes the liquid refrigeer e-es e U erant. The vapor then flows through cold gas line 33 back to the inlet of compressor 23 to complete-the cycle. At such times of the year as the ambient temperature drops to a point that the head pressure would be too low to properly force liquid refrigerant through capillary 32, the fan motor 28 is taken out of operation under the influence of thermostatic switch 101. With only one fan operating, there is correspondingly less cooling air flowing over the condenser 25 with a consequent increase in head pressure.

Cutter drive motor 43 is energized to impart rotary movement to spiders 35 and the associated rotary wedge 34, together with troughs 50 and 56. Pump 53 is operated to deliver water from sump 52 to the trough 56. From trough 56 the water flows through apertures 58 into discontinuous trough 50. The water is then distributed by apertures 59 of discontinuous trough 50 over the ice forming element 22 in such a manner as to cover the entire surface thereof, except that portion immediately adjacent rotary wedge 34. Water flowing over ice forming element 22 has its heat removed by the action of the cold refrigerant Within the ice forming element 22, and is thereby frozen to form What is, in effect, a continuous sheet of ice. The ice sheet in the vicinity of the rotary wedge 34 is in a dry condition because of no water flow thereon. This serves to maintain the ice removed in a dry state for delivery into bin 12, and further prevents any water from flowing into the bin with the ice fragments.

It will be appreciated that as spiders 35 are rotated, rotary wedge 34 is translated thereby about the outer surface of ice forming element 22, and is also free to rotate about its own axis by engagement of the cutting edges thereof with the ice sheet formed on the outer surface of ice forming element 22.

For a further discussion of the operation of the hereindisclosed ice forming apparatus, reference may be had to my aforementioned application No; 726,765.

As lower spider 35 rotates, control member 77 and its associated bracket 78 rotates therewith. As the canming portion 81, on each revolutoin of lower spider 35, comes in contact with roller 72 of crank member 65, the effect is to rotate the crank member 65 within supporting members 66 in a direction toward ice shield 61 against the bias of spring 74. Springs 74 and 80 are selected such that the resistance to elongation of spring 80 is sufficiently greater than that of spring 74 for the crank member 65 to be rotated within support members 66 by cam ming portion 81, rather than control member 77 being rotated inwardly within bracket 78 by roller 72. In elfect, because of the greater strength of spring 80, control member 77 may be considered to be rigidly mounted on bracket 78, with respect to crank member 65. For convenience, hereinafter, spring 80 will be designated as having a larger spring constant than spring 74. As the ice within bin 12 builds up, it comes to a level sufiiciently high to fill the space between ice-contacting plate 73 and ice shield 61 with the ice shield 61 acting, in effect, as a back stop for the ice flakes. At such time, crank member 65 cannot be rotated toward ice shield 61 and, in efiect, becomes rigidly mounted in support members 66 with respect to control member 77. Therefore, as camming portion 81 of control member 77 comes in contact with the roller 72 of the now rigidly mounted crank member 65, the camming portion 81 of control member 77 is itself forced in a direction toward spider 35 against a crank member 65 to be again rotated toward ice shield 61 by control member '77. This removes the adjustment piece 83 out of engagement with switch arm 85, allowing the bias of spring 80. This has the effect of putting adit to drop to its normal position.

Under normal operating conditions, master switch 86 is closed. Timer 105 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 with timer switch 104 maintained in a closed position by the timer 105, and safety switch 94 is in its normally closed position (switch arm being free of engagement with adjustment piece 83). An electrical circuit is then set up energizing solenoid Winding 89' by way of timer switch.

104 and safety switch 94. Energization of solenoid winding 89' closes switches 90 and 91, setting up a circuitthrough leads 87 and 88, as shown in Fig. 4. With current flow through leads 87 and 88, compressor motor 24 is energized, the two fan motors 27' and 28 are energized (assuming the temperature is such that thermostatically controlled switch 101 is closed), and pump 53 is activated. At the same time, solenoid winding 108' of solenoid switch 108 is energized across leads 102 and 103 opening the circuit through lead 106 and closing the circuit through lead 92, also as shown in Fig. 4. With switch 110 closing the circuit through lead 92, cutter drive motor 43 is energized to rotate spiders 35 and the associated rotary wedge 34. With no current flow permitted through lead 106 by the position of switch 109, then timer is obviously de-energized.

Should safety switch 94 be opened by engagement of adjustment piece 83 with switch arm 85, as set out above, then cutter drive motor 43 is de-energized and the rotation of spiders 35 and associated rotary wedge 34 is stopped. At the same time with safety switch 94 opened, there is no current flow through solenoid winding 89' de-energizing it and opening solenoid switches 90 and 91, shutting down compressor motor 24, fan motors 27' and 28, and pump 53. Solenoid winding 108' of solenoid switch 108 is also de-energized and the switch assembly 108 assumes the position wherein switch 109 closes the circuit through lead 106, while switch 110 opens the circuit through lead 92. With current flow through lead 106, timer 105 is energized. Should safety switch 94 remain open for three minutes, this is suflicient time for timer switch 104 to ride off the cam portion of timer 105, allowing the switch to open. When such occurs, the entire system must remain inoperative for a period of two hours, which is the time necessary for timer 105 to make one complete revolution to a position where timer switch 104 will again ride up the cam portion of the timer motor and be maintained in a closed position thereby.

If, during the two hour travel of timer 105, the ice is removed from between ice-contacting plate 73 and ice shield 61, this permits control member 77 to be biased by spring 80 to the position shown in Fig. 2 out of contact with switch arm 85. This has the efiect of permitting the switch arm 85 to fall to its normal position, allowing safety switch '94 to close, as was pointed out hereinabove. As was also pointed out above and as is apparent from Fig. 4, both safety switch 94 and timer switch 104 must be closed in order for solenoid winding 89' to be energized to re-activate the system.

Should safety switch 94 not be closed during the two hour travel of timer 105, then, even though timer switch 104 is closed by timer 105, solenoid winding 89' remains de-energized. After three minutes time, timer switch 104 rides down the cam portion of timer 105, starting ano er two hour cycle, during with time the machine must again remain inoperative.

The term water, as used herein, includes any liquid adapted for solidification on and removal from the ice forming element 22.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

Whatis claimed is: i 1 1. In an 'ice making apparatus including a bin'for rev ceiving andstoring said ice, theimprovement comprising means fordiscontinuing operation of said apparatus upon a predetermined height of ice Within said bin comprising 7 biasing said crank member to a position in the path of said switch-actuating member, the arrangement being such that'said crankmernber is oscillated back and forth on each pass of said switch-actuating member, andrmeans for preventing oscillation thereof upon. a predetermined heigh of. i Within said bin whereby said switch-actuat ing member is moved thereby to said second position.

2." The device of claim lwherein said oscillation pre-. venting means comprises an ice-contacting plate connected to said crank member and an ice backstop mounted in said bin in close proximitythereto.

3. in an ice making apparatus including a cylindrical refrigerated surface, means for supplying Water thereto for freezing thereon into a sheet of ice, means rotatable about said i'efrigerated surface-fer removing said ice there; from in the form of ice flakes, and a bin for receiving and storing said ice- -flakes, the improvement comprising means for discontinuing operation of said apparatus upon a predetermined height of flakes Within said bin comprising a switch-actuating member pivotally mounted on said rotatable means; switch means for discontinuing operation of said apparatus when engaged by said switch-actuating member; means biasing said switch-actuating 'member to a first position out of engagement with said switch means; and means for moving said switch-actuate,

ing member. to a second position for engagement with said switch means upon a predetermined height of ice flakes within said bin comprising a pivotally mounted crank member including attics-contacting plate, means biasing said crank member to a position in the path of said switch-actuating member, the crank member biasing is V 7 means being selected such that s-aid'switch-actuating member remains in, said first position on engagement with said crank member and an ice backstop mounted within said 'bin and in close proximity to said ice-contacting plate whereby, when ice flakes fill the space therebetween, said switch-actuating member is moved to said second position on engagement with said crank member.

4. In an ice making apparatus including a cylindrical refrigerated surface, means for supplying water thereto for freezing thereon into a sheet of ice, means rotatable about said refrigerated surface for removing said ice therefrom in the form of ice flakes, and a bin for receiving and storing said ice flakes, the improvement comprising means for discontinuing operation of said apparatus upon a predetermined height of ice flakes within said bin comprising a pivotally mounted crank member, means biasing said crank member to a first position, a control member pivotally mounted on said rotatable means, said control member including a camming portion for engagement with said crank member and a switch-actuating portion, means biasing said control member to a, first position, the'control member biasing means being selected such that said camming portion periodically cams said crank member, on engagement therewith, to a second position against the bias of said cranjk member biasing means, means for preventing the movement of said crank member to said second position upon said predetermined height of flakes within said bin being reached whereby said control member is cammed by said crank member, on engagement of said camming portion therewith, to a second position against the bias of said control member biasing means; and switch means in the path of said switch-actuating portion when said control member is in its second position for discontinuing operation of said apparatus.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for preventing movement of said crank member comprises an icecontacting plate attached thereto and an ice backstop mounted in said bin in close proximity to said ice-contacting plate whereby, when ice flakes fill the space therebetween, said crank member is immovable to said second position thereof. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Morgan May 27, 1958 

